We live in a world surrounded by technology and we know that whatever career field we choose to go into as adults, our ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works. The reality is that technology affects every field of commerce in today's society. In healthcare, computing is part of operating rooms every day. Technology has also enabled breakthroughs like contact lenses that detect insulin levels for people with diabetes. In space and aeronautics we are depending on a generation of robots to explore where humans cannot. In our homes we are automating every day things like our heating and cooling systems. On our roads we depend on navigation systems to get us home and now we are experimenting with bringing self-driving cars into our everyday lives. In entertainment, blockbuster movies depend on computer science to bring new characters to life and provide us new completely animated worlds. The music industry was also forever changed by the rise of the digital age. And every single day this trend is growing across every industry. Yet, only a tiny fraction of us are learning how technology works. Fewer than half of all schools teach computer science. However, in Castleberry ISD we offer computer science to all Pre-K through 5th grade students, all 7th grade students, and as a course in high school for all interested students.

During Computer Science Education week, which is December 4th through 10th, our entire school district is joining more than 100 million students worldwide on the largest learning even in history- The Hour of Code. "The Hour of Code is designed to demystify code, to show that computer science is not rocket-science, and anybody can learn the basics." said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of code.org. "It's now on track to be the largest learning event in history, proving that the demand for relevant 21st century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries." Look for resources to be added to this article starting on Monday, December 4th that will provide self-guided tutorials for students, teachers, and parents to participate in an Hour of Code.